HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9635 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9635
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 6, 2014
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SUBJECT: NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONE PROGRAM PUBLIC
rF NOTIFICATION PROCESS
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide information regarding the Neighborhood
Empowerment Zone Program public notification process.
When the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone program was adopted in 2000, a public notification
process was not required to receive NEZ incentives. Since its adoption the program has been
amended several times. In 2003, the policy was amended to require public notification for projects
located only in the Woodhaven NEZ. In 2004, the policy was amended to require all applicants to
meet with the Councilmember and neighborhood associations before they received NEZ
incentives. In 2005, the policy was amended again to require a plan for each NEZ that would take
the place of the public notification. In 2009, the requirement for NEZ plans was removed due to
staff cuts and the policy was amended to require applicants to meet or attempt to meet with the
neighborhood associations within 300 feet of the project.
In 2013, the policy was amended to define "attempt to meet". This policy is currently in use and is
defined below.
Public Notification
a. Subject to subsection (b), in order for an owner/developer to apply to receive any incentives
provided for under the NEZ Tax Abatement Policy and Basic Incentives, an owner/developer
must meet with the following persons and organizations to discuss the Project:
1. the Council Member for the District the Project is located; and
2. the neighborhood associations or community based organizations registered with the
city that are within 300 feet of the proposed Project. The measurement of the distance
between the proposed project and Neighborhood Associations or Community Based
Organizations shall be along the property lines of the street fronts and from front door to
front door, and in direct line across the intersections.
b. Subsection (a) shall be satisfied upon:
1. the owner/developer meeting with the City Council Member for the District the Project is
located and the neighborhood associations or community based organizations
registered with the city that are within 300 feet of the proposed Project; or
2. meeting with the City Council Member for the District the Project is located and upon the
owner/developer providing proof that the owner/developer attempted to meet with the
neighborhood associations and the community based organizations registered with the
city within 300 feet of where the proposed Project is located and the associations or
organizations failed to arrange a meeting with the owner/developer within two weeks of
initial contact.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9635
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 6, 2014
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SUBJECT: NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONE PROGRAM PUBLIC
rF NOTIFICATION PROCESS
c. Accepted proof of "attempt to meet" with the registered organizations will be satisfied with the
following:
1. a copy of a certified letter sent to the registered organization describing the project and
requesting a meeting and the green card from the post office; or
2. a copy of the e-mail sent to the registered organization describing the project and
requesting a meeting and the response from the organization.
The current policy requires approval from the City Councilmember for certification, but does not
require neighborhood association approval.
If you have any questions related to this information, please contact Jay Chapa at 817-392-5804.
Tom Higgins
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS